Lion Head Mesa Ō kara no tegami

the eagle woke, limbs untangled from that of maggie.

for a long moment he tried only to recall the evening before. a low sickness rose in his gut. the egyptian had plied him with fermented fruit and honey, soft meat. he had stolidly resisted the advances of jawahir and maggie.

until he had not. he had only told himself that trust would never be gained between them if he spurned the pharaoh's offering.

in shame he rose to bathe in the scented water, and went at once to find where crowfeather had been spirited away. but before a word could be shared, lady satsu came among them. there was blood upon her, and it pierced through the scent of flowers. in direct words she explained what had gone on.

the pale harlot who had whiled away last night's hours was nowhere to be seen.

"a nation's power is derived from its vassal states. the saints will not appreciate that you have slipped their chain." the eagle's voice was calm. "are you injured, domina?"

he did not say yet whether he would carry her message.